POLICE activity in Guildford is being stepped up to tackle rising burglary rates.

New crime figures show burglaries in Surrey have risen by 7.2% and the crime has become a ‘top priority’ for officers.

Guildford Neighbourhood Inspector, Alan Sproston, said: “Nationally burglary has increased and this is largely due to the change in the economic climate linked with an increase in the value of scrap metals, such as copper and lead.

“Guildford has seen an increase in burglary over the same period and this has prompted an increase in partner focus to prevent and deter criminals.

“There have been additional intelligence-led patrols in the borough, linked with a number of search warrants at the home addresses of known burglars.

“Crime reduction advice has been given to Guildford residents, along with additional bespoke advice to the vulnerable such as the elderly.

“Although the volume of burglaries national has risen, the number of detections in Guildford has increased and confidence in the police generally is higher than any other part of the country.”

In 2009/10, the number of domestic burglaries stood at 3,405, but in 2010/11 the figure has increased to 3,649.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said job losses and benefit cuts are likely to have had an impact.

She said: “This rise in burglary is similarly evident in many metropolitan boroughs bordering Surrey, for example Croydon and Richmond.

“Reducing the volume of burglary remains the top priority for the force in coming months, alongside continuing to crack down on vehicle crime and improving overall detection rates.”

Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Kirby said: “Clearly, there are areas that need to be improved and work to improve our burglary figures and detection rate continues.

“However, this needs to be seen in the context of common sense policing as the figures exclude all the informal resolutions, which officers impose.”

The amount of charges brought, cautions given, and summons handed out shows an improvement.

The sanction detection rate has improved by 4% this year – up from 12% in 2009/10.

Dorset Police achieved a 17% rate, a 2% drop on its previous score, while Sussex Police achieved a 19% rate, up 2% from last year.